Removal of vegetation obstructing outdoor advertising signs

Under current law, a vegetation removal permit authorizes sign owners to trim or remove vegetation approved by DOT for removal within a sign’s “viewing zone,” which is the final 1,000 feet along the highway when approaching a sign. The bill defines a “viewing window,” which is the final 500 feet of the viewing zone. Under the bill, a sign owner with a vegetation removal permit may clear cut all vegetation within a sign’s viewing window, including vegetation located in the median of a divided highway.

Under current law, a vegetation removal permit holder that removes trees with a diameter of two inches or more must compensate DOT for the removed trees. The bill eliminates the requirement that an arborist be employed and provides that compensation is due only if the trees were removed from a living snow fence. The bill defines “living snow fence” to mean vegetation that functions as a berm or barrier to inhibit the accumulation of snow on the highway during the winter season that is planted by the department in a highway right-of-way and the location of which is documented by the department. The bill increases the amount of compensation from $200 to $300 per tree and requires DOT to use the amounts collected to plant living snow fences.

Finally, the bill provides that a sign owner who was issued a vegetation removal permit on or after May 19, 2012, is not required to apply for subsequent permits for the same sign and may remove vegetation in the sign’s viewing window without additional approval or supervision by DOT. The sign owner must notify DOT prior to removal of any vegetation and must provide DOT with photographs of the sign site before and after the vegetation removal is completed.